Researchers found that rising greenhouse gas concentrations played a key role in causing more rainfall in two major regions of Africa, transforming desert into grasslands and savannas. The study validated the Community Climate System Model's predictions for future climate changes in Africa.
A Boulder research team has developed a new technique to measure soil moisture, vegetation water content, and snow depth using GPS signals, which could significantly enhance the ability to monitor the water cycle. The technique, known as GPS Interferometric Reflectometry (GPS-IR), uses data from over 10,000 GPS stations worldwide to pr...
A new study estimates that more than 40% of global waste is burned in unregulated fires, releasing pollutants such as particulates, carbon monoxide, and mercury. These emissions have been linked to serious medical issues, including decreased lung function and cancer.
New research suggests that climate change increases the risk of a major slowdown in global crop yields over the next two decades. The odds of such an event are about 1 in 10 for corn and 1 in 20 for wheat, even with a warming climate.
A major field project on the northern Front Range of Colorado will provide needed information to officials seeking to ensure healthy air. The study, FRAPPÉ, uses specially equipped aircraft, networks of ground-based instruments, and sophisticated computer simulations to track summertime ozone pollution.
Research led by NCAR finds US ozone levels projected to increase by 70% by 2050 due to rising temperatures and climate change. However, a sharp reduction in emissions of ozone precursors could reduce pollution even as the climate warms.
Leading scientists will examine the western tropical Pacific Ocean's 'global chimney,' which shapes climate and air chemistry globally. The region fuels heat and moisture into thunderstorms that loft gases and particles into the stratosphere, influencing climate patterns.
Researchers at NCAR and University of Maryland create a new model that combines weather simulations with satellite observations to predict wildfire growth. The model can produce accurate forecasts every 12 hours, improving prediction tools for large, intense wildfires.
A new study finds that geoengineering approaches to mitigate global warming could result in reduced rainfall and snowfall worldwide. The research suggests that these techniques would not only fail to address the root problem of climate change but also have unintended consequences, such as altered regional precipitation patterns.
Researchers at NCAR have fingerprinted a distinctive atmospheric wave pattern that can foreshadow the emergence of summertime heat waves in the United States. By analyzing a 12,000-year simulation of the atmosphere, they found that this pattern is associated with an increased likelihood of US heat waves 15-20 days out.
A rare combination of atmospheric patterns drove heavy rains over Australia in 2010-11, causing seas to drop measurably. The event, linked to La Niña and the Southern Annular Mode, was a unique complex pattern that temporarily halted rising sea levels caused by climate change.
The NCAR-Wyoming Supercomputing Center has been recognized as a leader in sustainability, achieving a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold certification. The facility's ultra-efficient cooling tower configuration and use of native species for landscaping enable water savings of up to 6 million gallons per year.
Researchers in the Southern Oxidant and Aerosol Study (SOAS) investigate how chemical reactions between human-related pollution and plant-emitted VOCs affect air quality in the U.S. Southeast. The project aims to uncover the controlling processes of biosphere-atmosphere interactions, which can impact regional climate and air chemistry.
New research shows that reducing emissions of short-lived pollutants like methane, tropospheric ozone, and hydrofluorocarbons can temporarily forestall the rate of sea level rise. This could lower the threat to coastal cities by stabilizing carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere.
Researchers at NCAR are creating a prototype system to forecast sunlight and resulting power every 15 minutes, enabling utilities to continuously anticipate available solar energy. The project aims to improve cloud prediction accuracy, helping utilities tap into solar energy more effectively and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
A new study reveals that human activities in cities alter atmospheric circulation patterns, leading to significant warming in northern Asia and North America. The study found that the 'waste heat' generated by urban areas can widen the jet stream and increase temperatures across large distances.
A new system developed by NCAR combines satellite data and computer weather models to predict potentially dangerous atmospheric conditions. The system provides pilots with critical information about storms, turbulence, and lightning, helping to improve flight safety over remote ocean regions.
Researchers have adapted weather forecasting techniques to predict local flu outbreaks, providing weeks of warning before the peak. The system uses data assimilation and Google Flu Trends to estimate flu-related sickness in regions, allowing health officials to better prepare and make informed decisions.
The National Center for Atmospheric Research is launching a three-year, international study to analyze the effects of smoke from traditional cooking methods on human health. The researchers will combine sensors with computer models to examine links between air pollutants and diseases such as meningitis in northern Ghana.
The NCAR-Wyoming Supercomputing Center has officially opened, launching a series of initial scientific projects on its flagship 1.5-petaflop supercomputer, Yellowstone. The center aims to improve predictions of natural hazards such as tornadoes and hurricanes through Earth science research.
The new system uses wind measuring instruments and computational formulas to alert pilots to areas of moderate and severe turbulence. It enables pilots to plan better routes, reducing bumpy rides and flight delays.
China's transportation restrictions during the 2008 Olympics reduced carbon dioxide emissions by a significant amount. The study found that this reduction could potentially provide a substantial part of the necessary emissions cut to prevent global warming by 2 degrees Celsius.
Climate change is expected to reduce the extent of Antarctic sea ice, threatening the Emperor penguin population, which may decline by up to 80% by 2100. The study used computer simulations and statistical models to project the impact of sea ice loss on penguin demographics.
Researchers launch DC3 experiment to understand thunderstorms' influence on air just beneath the stratosphere, a little-explored region that affects Earth's climate. They aim to explore ozone formation and its impact on climate change by tracking pollutants and chemical reactions.
Researchers at NCAR are developing prototype devices that can almost instantly measure large areas of snow using light pulses, satellite signals, and other technologies. These devices have the potential to provide a global picture of snow depth and improve weather forecasts.
A new international study provides evidence that an unusual episode of four massive tropical volcanic eruptions may have triggered the onset and persistence of Earth's Little Ice Age. The research suggests a subsequent expansion of sea ice and weakening of Atlantic currents best explain the cold summers following the eruptions.
The NCAR wind forecasting system has improved the accuracy of wind energy forecasts by 35%, allowing Xcel Energy to harness wind more effectively and save ratepayers millions of dollars yearly. The system uses cutting-edge computer models and real-time observations to provide high-resolution forecasts, updated every 15 minutes.
Researchers gather data in the Indian Ocean to understand tropical weather patterns and their effects on global climate. The six-month field campaign aims to improve long-range weather forecasts and seasonal outlooks.
A new study suggests that the planet's deep oceans can absorb enough heat to flatten the rate of global warming for periods of up to a decade. The research, based on computer simulations of global climate, points to ocean layers deeper than 1,000 feet as the main location of the 'missing heat'.
A recent study suggests that relying on natural gas instead of coal would fail to significantly slow down climate change. The research found that a shift in energy sources could lead to a slight increase in worldwide warming over the next 40 years, with temperatures eventually dropping by only a few tenths of a degree.
Researchers found that Arctic ice under current climate conditions is as likely to expand as it is to contract for periods of up to a decade. The study suggests that climate change and variability work together to accelerate sea ice loss, but temporary stabilization or expansion may occur.
A new study using satellite observations reveals that magnetic oscillations carrying energy from the Sun's surface into its corona are far more vigorous than previously thought. These waves are energetic enough to heat the corona, driving the solar wind and affecting the entire solar system.
Researchers discovered that aircraft takeoffs and landings under certain atmospheric conditions can cause a small but measurable increase in rain and snow near airports. The study used satellite images and weather forecasting models to examine the occurrence of inadvertent cloud seeding within 62 miles of six commercial airports.
Routine weather events like rain and cooler days can impact US economy up to $485 billion per year. The study found finance, manufacturing, agriculture, and other sectors sensitive to changes in the weather.
Research finds that paved surfaces in cities like Houston can lead to stagnant air and increased pollution by altering wind patterns. By adding parks and lakes, cities may be able to improve air quality by blowing away pollutants.
A new computer-generated forecast provides pilots with critical weather information on the likelihood of encountering in-flight icing conditions. The Forecast Icing Product with Severity (FIP-Severity) offers 12-hour forecasts that help users plan safe flight paths, reducing accidents and costs related to icing hazards.
Cities globally are failing to prepare for climate change impacts, despite billions of urban dwellers being vulnerable to heat waves, sea level rise, and other changes. Many cities lack effective strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect residents.
Climate change is projected to reduce or eliminate springtime snow cover that wolverines rely on for newborn kits' protection. August temperatures may also increase dramatically, posing a significant threat to the species' survival. The study focused on mountainous regions of the Northwest and warned of potential habitat loss.
A new analysis suggests that future global temperatures may exceed projections by a factor of two, with potentially catastrophic consequences. The study, led by NCAR scientist Jeffrey Kiehl, warns that continued high levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere could lead to a repeat of Earth's hot past.
Scientists have discovered that narrow jets of plasma, known as spicules, shoot up from the Sun's surface and insert heated plasma into its outer atmosphere. This finding addresses a fundamental question in astrophysics and provides an observational challenge to existing theories of coronal heating.
A new study suggests that dust particles in the atmosphere can be used as a predictor of future climate change. The research found that the size distribution of dust particles follows similar patterns to those produced by broken glass and other brittle objects.
A new study predicts widespread droughts across much of the globe within decades, with most of Western Hemisphere and Eurasia at risk. Drought conditions are expected to worsen as warming temperatures lead to reduced rainfall and increased evaporation.
A new study found that a slowing of population growth could contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with slower growth paths by 2050 accounting for 16-29% of necessary emissions reductions. Urbanization and aging also play significant roles in shaping future emissions.
A new study uses computer simulations to recreate the parting of the Red Sea, suggesting a strong east wind could have created a safe passage for fleeing Israelites. The research estimates that a wind of 63 miles an hour would have pushed back waters, exposing mud flats for four hours.
Scientists have discovered a magnetic cycle in a distant star using stellar seismology, finding a pattern similar to the Sun's solar cycle. The study aims to better understand how magnetic activity cycles differ from star to star and its impact on potential planets.
The Community Earth System Model (CESM) is a powerful new tool for studying climate change, enabling scientists to simulate the complex interactions of the atmosphere, oceans, and land surfaces. The CESM will help researchers better understand the impacts of global warming on ice sheets, tropical cyclones, and aerosols.
A new analysis suggests that a stretched Sun conveyor belt may have caused the prolonged phase of low activity in solar cycle 23, leading to longer solar cycles. The study provides insights into the factors controlling solar cycles and could improve predictions.
Researchers will deploy NSF/NCAR Gulfstream V research aircraft to gather data on tropical storms that may become hurricanes. By understanding these storms' formation, scientists can help the National Hurricane Center attain five- or seven-day hurricane forecasts.
Research found that aircraft can seed mid-level clouds, causing narrow bands of snow or rain to develop. The study also discovered that water droplets at subfreezing temperatures are key to forming these holes in the clouds.
The VORTEX2 project, the most ambitious tornado study in history, aims to surround tornadoes with an unprecedented fleet of mobile radars and cutting-edge tools. The study seeks to improve tornado warnings and short-term severe weather forecasts by examining how tornadoes form and the patterns of damage they cause.